Toothpick holder



Dec. 4, 1928. 1,694,200

T. BARTHOLOMEW TOOTHPICK HOLDER Filed 'se t. 1'7; 1926 i3 3 I v THOMAS BARTHOLOM |-:w

Patented Dec. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES 'THOMAS BARTI-IOLOMEW, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

TOOTHPICK HOLDER.

Application filed September 17, 1926.

Restaurants and hotels now quite commonly provide toothpicks in an open receptacle from which the patrons and guests take one or more indiscriminately with the fingersthe latter quite frequently contacting with the points of the picks not removed. It can be easily perceived that this is gravely unsanitary in that it is possible in this way to distribute large numbers of infectious germs among the people.

One of the objects of the present invention is an improved and simplified form of toothpick holder from which the taking of one or more of the picks compels the apprehension of them at their middles only. Other objects will appear from the disclosure hereof.

The invention is embodied in the example herein shown and described the features of novelty being finally claimed.

In the accompanying drawing forming part hereof.

Figure 1 is a front view of the device according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the left hand side of the same.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line IV 1V Fig. 3, the toothpicks being shown by small circles at the upper end.

In the views 5 designates a rectangular base to which is secured the toothpick support the latter including mainly a sheet metal box-like frame 6 having atop 7 inclined from the rear toward the front where it is formed with an upwardly bent lip 7. The toothpick support is conveniently secured to an internal wooden block 8 by screw 9; and the block secured to the base by screw 10.

The cover frame or pick confining member 11 is also made of sheet metal and of suitable dimensions in horizontal cross section to telescope on the toothpick support. The upper end of the cover .device includes a lid 12 having a sliding tongue and groove connection with the end of the top, and a digitally operable spring latch 13 adapted to engage the rear vertical wall of the cover frame to hold said lid in closed or operating position. The

front edge of the lid 12 and the front vertical wall of the cover frame are each provided centrally with a cut away portion as shown at 14 and 15 respectively to permit a toothpick to be digitally taken. Because the front wall, as shown, extends in its main portion to the plane of the sliding cover 12, the exit for the Serial No. 136,055.

of the lid and leave a narrow slit between the forward edge of the lid and the upper edge of the front to permit the toothpick to be drawn laterally therethrough.

A suitable stop 16 at the lower end of the front wall of the cover frame in line with the head of the screw 8 can be employed to limit the upward movement of the cover frame when said frame is moved upward to charge the receptacle .thus formed at the top with toothpicks. In case it should be necessary to entirely remove the cover frame from the interior supporting frame the front wall of the former, being of sheet metal, can be sprung out with any suitable tool a screw driver for example, to permit that.

On the base at opposite ends thereof are standards 17, 17, to the upper ends of which are hinged, with frictional hinges, the ends of a bail 18. Said bail can be used to support the cover frame in raised position when toothpicks are to be supplied to the device by turning it under the extended or opened lid 12 as indicated by the broken line position Fig. 2 of the lid. By using the bail in the way just described it is not neces sary to hold the cover frame with one hand while charging the device with toothpicks with the other. Both hands are left free.

There can be suitably mounted at the front of the device a sheet metal card holder 19 said holder having its ends bent in (see Fig. 3) to form grooves 19 into which a paper card bearing an advertisement or other printed matter can be inserted or removed when desired. The card holder can be clamped in place by the effect of the screw 10.

In practice it will be observed that the toothpicks are taken at their middles only by the patrons at the cut away portions of the lid and front wall of the cover hence the ends of the picks remaining in the receptacles are left clean and free from germs due to lingering as in an entirely open receptacle.

An important feature of the operation is that the cover frame feeds down by gravity as the picks are removed. The last pick can be removed, especially if the picks be of the round or rolling Variety the inclined support at the top permitting it to drop to the front where it may be taken.

The forms of the parts can be changed Without departing from the gist of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A holder for toothpicks or similar articles consisting of a pick supporting member and a gravity actuated pick confining member having a sliding cover and telescoping on the supporting member, said cover cooperating With the confining member to form an opening at the top for the removal of the picks and means limiting the upward movement but permitting removal of the confining member as respects the supporting member.

2. A holder for toothpicks or similar articles consisting of a pick supporting member and a gravity actuated pick confining member telescoping on the supporting member said confining member having a cover cooperating with the confining member to form an opening for the removal of the picks, and a bail for the holder adapted to support the confining member in elevated position.

3. A holder for toothpicks or similar articles consisting of a pick supporting member and a gravity actuated pick confining member having a sliding cover, said confining member telescoping on the supporting member and said sliding cover cooperating with the confining member to form an opening for the removal of the picks, and a bail adapted to engage the sliding cover to support the confining member in elevated position.

THOMAS BARTHOLOMEV. 

